Students seen going to school. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD AZEEM/EXPRESS/FILE
A senior official of the Army Public Schools and Colleges Secretariat in Rawalpindi confirmed that their schools around the country will reopen on Monday, while parents confirmed the opening of other schools in the city but expressed concern about security measures.
"Does opening schools tomorrow mean that the threat is not there?" asked Amber Asim, a mother of two children who study at a school in DHA. Parents are still confused about the sudden closure of schools, she explained.
"They haven't informed us of anything other than sending a message that schools will be reopening from Monday," claimed Asad Latif, whose children study at Karachi Public School. He also told The Express Tribune that if there was a threat then proper information should be given to parents. "We'll see what security they have increased when they open tomorrow morning," he added.
Another worried mother, Dr Shaista, whose son studies at a school in DHA and daughter at St Paul's School, was of the view that as far as security is concerned, schools have no clear details. "They have informed the students about emergency exits," she said, quoting her son.
"At St Paul's they have tightened their security and do not let us go in without showing ID cards," Dr Shaista said.
Abbas Alam, whose sisters study at Bahria College and St Joseph's School, described the opening and closure of schools as a precautionary measure by a fearful nation.
Chairperson of the All Private Schools Management Association, Sindh Khalid Shah said schools had been closed due to security concerns. "In recent meetings with officials, we have been asked to follow regulations regarding security arrangements,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2016.
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